About Iceland

With its spectacular landscape of waterfalls, glaciers, spurting geysers and mud pools, its warm and welcoming people and lively cultural scene, Iceland is a year-round destination offering something for everyone.

Flights from the UK take about three hours, and Iceland remains on GMT throughout the year so there is never more than one hour’s time difference between the two countries. It is not a member of the EU and its currency is the Icelandic Krona.

Forged by volcanic eruptions around 18 million years ago, Iceland is the youngest landmass in Europe. About one-third larger than Scotland or Ireland, it is the continent’s least densely-populated country with about 330,000 inhabitants, half of whom live in Reykjavík – the world’s most northerly capital – and the surrounding area. It is home to Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, and Vatnajökull, 1000 m thick in places, is the largest icecap in the world outside the polar regions.

Although the average July temperature is 11 C, Iceland’s summers can be surprisingly warm, with endless daylight hours in which to explore the country and experience the many activities on offer. Strictly speaking, it is only above the Arctic Circle that the true “midnight sun” occurs. In January, Reykjavík’s average temperature is –0.5 C but there is no need to venture far from the capital to find spectacular scenery. To have an opportunity to see the Northern Lights, visit between October and April.

Iceland is a very safe country for visitors. The Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index charts the world’s safest destinations and, balancing several factors including political instability, the presence of nuclear weapons and numbers of police and security personnel, Iceland came top for the sixth year running in 2016.

A 2014 study concluded that the traditional Icelandic diet is the best in the world, being rich in fish and high-quality, grass-fed meat and dairy, produced on small, family-run farms in one of the cleanest environments on Earth. Incidences of Alzheimer’s, heart-disease, strokes and diabetes are comparatively low and Icelandic men can expect to reach 81, the longest life-expectancy in the world. In 2015, The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report – which benchmarks the national gender gaps of nearly 150 countries based on economic, political, educational and health criteria – put Iceland at the top for the seventh consecutive year.

The country is, of course, a photographer’s paradise. It is among the 10 best destinations in the world for whale-watching and its bird life is abundant and varied. With over 170 geothermal pools, of which the best known is the Blue Lagoon, there is a thriving spa culture.

Throughout the year, there are festivals and events of all kinds celebrating, among other things, music and the arts, food and drink, the sea and, of course, the country’s Viking heritage. National Day is June 17 when Icelanders take to the streets to celebrate their country’s independence. March 1 is Beer Day. Beer was only legalised in 1989 and the anniversary is marked in suitable style each year!

So, whether you want to focus on activity and adventure, geology and landscape, photography, history and culture or experience some of everything the country has to offer, let Iceland Traveller put together a trip to suit you.

The tour you booked for us was great. We were really lucky to have only four of us (me and Pip, plus two Australian ladies) on the minibus so it was practically a private tour. Great guide, interesting stops, and nice places to stay. Overall, it was a completely stunning and awe inspiring trip. Such a beautiful country and I'm still very excited to have seen puffins on the tour!

Best activity? Snowmobile, amazing scenery. Highlight? All of it!

Hi, as Iceland virgins we will be guided by you, it just seems an interesting place to spend midsummer night. I’ve always wanted to go there for the lagoons,.

Hi, as Iceland virgins we will be guided by you, it just seems an interesting place to spend midsummer night. I’ve always wanted to go there for the lagoons,. spas, geysers, whatever’. Now that he is back, what was his favourite activity? ‘Snowmobile, amazing scenery’. Highlight of the holiday? ‘All of it!’

Both guides were very knowledgeable

It was a lovely trip and being with our family made it extra special. The bird cliffs at Latrabjarg on the Westfjords were amazing, we were very lucky with the weather!

It was a lovely trip and being with our family made it extra special. The bird cliffs at Latrabjarg on the Westfjords were amazing, we were very lucky with the weather! Food was good everywhere, and Hotel Husafell was our favourite accommodation.

The snow made the scenery amazing ...

We had a great time despite the weather. In fact that added to it in some ways, and we got to see most of the things we wished to see.

We had a great time despite the weather. In fact that added to it in some ways, and we got to see most of the things we wished to see.
We will have to visit the South Coast another time ..... The snow made the scenery amazing but we would both like to see Iceland in colour another time rather than black and white (lava and snow).

Thank you so much for all your help - especially given the last minute nature of our trip

It was fantastic thank you! We'll definitely be going again and recommending it (and you!) to all our friends.
We went northern lights hunting on the Tuesday night - Eric was fabulous.

Thank you so much for all your help - especially given the last minute nature of our trip

Marcelle (UK)
February 20, 2017

It was fantastic thank you! We'll definitely be going again and recommending it (and you!) to all our friends.
We went northern lights hunting on the Tuesday night - Eric was fabulous. He properly 'hunted' and we went completely off the beaten track- and got some hot chocolate and rum to keep us warm. We were rewarded with an amazing view of the Northern Lights- definitely worth booking a private tour as those on the group tour weren't so lucky.
Thank you so much for all your help - especially given the last minute nature of our trip. Dave had a really great birthday.

Memorable trip for all ages

Excellent itinerary, packing in a wide variety of different venues and experiences and making allowances as necessary for the less mobile members of our party.

The planning was excellent. I asked for a tour package with food as its focus and Iceland Traveller did not disappoint. Their recommendations were wonderful. I especially loved the picnic by the waterfall and being able to sample 8 different kinds of locally brewed beer for tea time! Amazing memories.

We had the most amazing week in Iceland ..

We had the most amazing week in Iceland and I cannot thank you enough… you made my role on this trip very easy as everything was so impeccably organised for us.

We had a wonderful time and can heartily recommend Iceland and Iceland Traveller

Paul (UK)
February 1, 2016

As Iceland novices, we relied on Julia to put together a four-day package and itinerary for February based on our vaguely expressed preferences. She didn’t disappoint. There was just the correct mix of travel, sightseeing, fabulous accommodation and great dining. Couldn’t ask for more. The trip went like clockwork, from being greeted at the airport and taken to the Blue Lagoon, to the hire car delivered to our hotel in Reykjavík, to the restaurant bookings, to the glacier walk … etc. We had a wonderful time and can heartily recommend Iceland and Iceland Traveller. We will definitely be back for more.

A trip of a lifetime!

Prior to going, I felt confident about our holiday into the unknown as you were so confident yourself and full of so much information, tips etc.

Prior to going, I felt confident about our holiday into the unknown as you were so confident yourself and full of so much information, tips etc. Nothing was too much trouble. Once we were there we had such a brilliant time doing really different activities we’d never tried before and seeing such interesting geographical features in stunning surroundings. The sunrises and sunsets are beautiful.

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